If your trip to Gateshead is all booked but your itinerary is a bit on the empty side, we can give you a helping hand.Sometimes short drives are fun too. Just down the road, Sage Gateshead and Angel of the North will keep you entertained. Need some more nearby options? The Sage is also worth dropping by.

Newcastle City Center and Elswick are two interesting places you might want to swing by. You’ll discover Newcastle City Center 3 miles away. If you’re making plans to visit Elswick, it’s 3 miles away. Both have a great variety of accommodations if you want to slide into a soft bed after all that sightseeing.

There’s nothing nicer than opening the car window and feeling the warm, salty air on your skin while you’re cruising along the seaside. Pack some snacks and spend an afternoon basking in the sun at one of the beautiful beaches near Gateshead. Top options include:

• Longsands Beach (9 miles away).
• Seaton Sluice Beach (12 miles away).
• Blast Beach (14 miles away).

Gateshead is a terrific place to base yourself to discover Newcastle-upon-Tyne and its surrounds. Only 3 miles from downtown, you’ll probably do a combination of city and highway driving. Take a good look at your itinerary. Are you planning on staying around town or are you looking for adventure in the great outdoors? If it’s a bit of both, rent a standard or medium-sized car so you’ll have the best of both worlds — practicality and comfort.

You’ll be happy to hear that there’s a wide variety of luxurious rental vehicles on offer in Gateshead. What you go for will depend on what you’re willing to spend and what you’re hoping to do. Specialty and prestige vehicles often spare no expense when it comes to mod cons and comfort. If you’re splurging, why not pick up a high-end SUV, or perhaps a fancy mid-size sedan? Alternatively, if you just need something to whiz around town in as efficiently as possible, maybe go for an economy vehicle (or something else that won’t burn a hole in your pocket).

Drivers stick to the left-hand side of the road in Gateshead. If you’re planning to rent a ride here, be aware that the steering wheel will be on the right. It may take a little bit to get used to!

Peak-hour traffic jams aren’t a huge worry in Gateshead and the greater area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With a population of 192,400, the roads aren’t as busy here as they are in larger cities.

Locating a car space in Gateshead shouldn’t be too hard. Of course, it depends on where you are and when — it may be tricky parking in the very center during peak periods.

If you’re cruising around Gateshead, a neighborhood of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, speed limits range from 30mph to 70mph. Keep in mind that residential zones typically have a default speed limit of 30mph.

One of two things will happen. Your rental company may charge the amount stated on the fine to your credit card. This is the usual practice. On the other hand, it may supply your contact details to the relevant local authority so the fine is issued directly to you.

You bet. However, there are some exceptions for vehicles operated by public transportation networks.

As in many places, normal cell phone usage is prohibited while cruising around Gateshead. However, an exception applies for hands-free or Bluetooth capabilities. Just remember to stay focused on the road.

In Gateshead, it’s a criminal offence to operate a vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of more than 0.08%. If you’re in the mood for a few drinks over dinner, it’s a good idea to leave the car behind.

It’s a big no-no to turn at a red light in Gateshead. When you come across one, enjoy a mindful moment until the signal flicks back to green.